ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

Desertscape by Keith Merrill Bradshaw is a four movement composition for clarinet and piano depicting various times and events of the deserts and canyons of Southern Utah. Commissioned by Michael Dean and the Barlow Endowment for Composition, the piece takes the listener on a journey from dawn to dusk through narrow canyons, deep ravines, and endless wilderness, where nature displays her stunning beauty and awesome power.

The first movement, Desert Dawn, begins with the first hint of light, and grows to a sunrise of brilliant pinks and oranges across the sky. The desert awakens and blooms before the sun\'s scorching heat strikes. The sun and the wind start the Desert Dance with shimmering mirages and whirling dust devils. The lonely dance becomes more serious as two scorpions dance to the death. As their strange death waltz ends, and the victor dances away, the sun and wind continue, oblivious to the life and death struggle that has just occurred.

Drops of rain are felt as the Desert Deluge begins. The storm quickly escalates to a cloudburst, and then a flash flood sweeps through wiping out everything in its path. Then, as quickly as it started it is over, leaving only a few puddles as a reminder of the passing storm. Desert Dusk displays a striking sunset, fading as night approaches. The lonely howl of the coyote, the hoot of the owl, the quiet flapping of bats wings, and a warm breeze are the only sounds as the desert shifts from light to dark.

Desertscape was premiered by Michael Dean and Carl Eklund (piano) at the NACWPI National Symposium at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in January of 1999. The music for Desertscape is available from the composer at Bradshaw@suu.edu. Keith Bradshaw’s professional web page is www.suu.edu/faculty/bradshaw.

September (for clarinet & CD) by Jeffrey Hoover was commissioned by Michael Dean. “September has always been a month of change and transition - a time when nature embraces both summer and fall, and life unfolds in new ways for individuals and our society. The music of September is set in two related and contrasting sections; music of thoughtful reflection, and music of engaging the present. The sound and music of September posses an autumnal quality, while spanning the psychological and emotional gap between the sound of memories and the music of now.”

September was premiered by Michael Dean at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York in April of 2007. The sheet music and CD accompaniment for September are available from the composer at jeffrey.hoover@comcast.net. Jeffrey Hoover’s professional web page is jeffrey.hoover.home.comcast.net.

Terpsichore, A Quodlibet on Melodies by Michael Praetorius for Solo Clarinet by Robert Fruehwald was commissioned by Michael Dean and his wife to celebrate the birth of their daughter. Michael Dean premiered the work at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in February of 2003. “Terpsichore, by Michael Praetorius, is the quintessential collection of Renaissance dance music. It contains dances that were extremely well known in their own time and that are still
widely performed today. This quodlibet combines three of these dances: a Bransle, a Bouree, and a Volte.” The music for Terpsichore is available from the composer at rfruehwald@semo.edu. Robert Fruehwald’s professional web page is www.semo.edu/music/faculty/index_5192.htm.

Dreaming (for clarinet & piano) by Jeffrey Hoover “possesses a three-section design, the third section being a repetition and modification of the first section: an A B A’ structure. One hears a mixture of tonal and modal melodies and harmonies that gives the music both a very old and very modern sound at the same time. The music suggests both repose and tension, a state of mind one possesses as one dreams – whether awake or asleep.” The clarinet version of Dreaming was premiered by Michael Dean and Amy Merkley (piano) at Orchestra Hall, Cedar City, Utah in September of 1997. The music for Dreaming is available from the composer at jeffrey.hoover@comcast.net.

Andy and Me (for clarinet & CD) by Robert Fruehwald was commissioned by Michael Dean. “Andy and Me is a whimsical look at the relationship between Mike and the newest addition to his family, Andy. The sounds on the CD accompaniment represent (and feature) Andy in a kind of conversation with the clarinet music played by Mike.” Michael Dean premiered the work at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in December of 2006. The sheet music and CD accompaniment for Andy and Me are available from the composer at rfruehwald@semo.edu.

Michael Dean (clarinet) is Associate Professor of Clarinet and Saxophone at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He is also President of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors (NACWPI). Dr. Dean is an active recitalist, soloist, clinician, and orchestral/chamber musician. He has performed as a recitalist at Carnegie Hall, the International Clarinet Association\'s ClarinetFest conference, and the NACWPI National Symposium. He has premiered and edited several new works and is featured on the Red Mesa Trio CD. Dr. Dean’s publications include a book, Clarinet On Campus, and articles in journals such as WINDPLAYER, the NACWPI Journal, and the Southwestern Musician. His professional web page is clarinetmike.com.

Tyson Wunderlich (piano) is an adjunct instructor of music at Southeast Missouri State University and the Southeast Missouri Music Academy. His professional web page is www.semo.edu/music/faculty/index_wunderlich.htm.